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June 24, 2013
Bishop of Bismarck David Kagan was awarded the Bishop John England Award at a luncheon Thursday, June 20 during the Catholic Media Convention in Denver, Colo. The award is the Catholic Press Association’s highest honor for publishers and recognizes publishers in the Catholic press for their defense of First Amendment rights, such as freedom of the press and freedom of religion.
“I am very grateful for this award and I know that so many others contribute to the excellent content and quality of all of the Catholic media efforts, so I am grateful to all who collaborate with me in this necessary apostolate of our Church,” said Bishop Kagan. “I want to thank the CPA for all that it does to support our own efforts and for this award which I humbly accept as a recognition of the good work being accomplished in western North Dakota for the Catholic Church.”
Bishop Kagan was presented the award for his work as publisher of the Dakota Catholic Action newspaper, the official publication of the Diocese of Bismarck. The DCA is sent to 24,000 homes in western North Dakota 11 times per year.
He was also recognized for his use of digital media in defending First Amendment rights. Bishop Kagan launched The Dash Report, one- to two-minute video updates that discuss Catholic issues and are posted to social media sites several times a month. He also began tweeting in January 2013 under the Twitter handle @VescovoDDK.
“While I am not too adept at all of the new technologies, I take Benedict XVI’s request seriously,” he said. “We must use these new technologies to bring to our own and to the world the joy of knowing Jesus Christ. This is where the Catholic faithful and all others of good will hear the truth and have it explained and applied to daily living.”
“Bishop Kagan has provided unwavering leadership for the Diocese of Bismarck, particularly in defending our First Amendment rights and the freedom of religion,” said Matthew Kurtz, director of Communications for the Diocese of Bismarck. “The way in which he has embraced digital media in defending the Church and spreading its message is refreshing. His efforts are a direct response to the call of the New Evangelization as he aims to spread the Gospel with ardor using new methods. The diocese is grateful for his boldness, especially as our religious freedom is currently under attack.”